High temperature structures of LiKSO4 crystals: normal and incommensurate phases

Abstract

Abstract Three crystallographic phases have been observed for LiKSO4 crystals between room temperature and the melting point. The study of these phases has involved many researchers for more than two decades of intense experimental investigations. Many publications with controversial results are found in the literature especially concerning the aperiodic character of the intermediate phase (708 K < T < 943 K). A recent careful X-ray diffraction study of the intermediate phase reports evidences of satellite reflections characteristic of an incommensurate modulation. A compilation of the most significant results and the ultimate conclusions are presented here.